da:ns festival has come a long way since its inception in 2006. This year’s theme is ‘An Invitation To Move’. Pulling out all the stops for the 10th year milestone, da:ns festival presents a world of dance that inspires us to fall in love with dance all over again, with performances by dance legends; Sylvie Guillem (Life in Progress – Selling Fast), Akram Khan and Israel Galván (TOROBAKA – Selling Fast) in the fold.

da:ns festival has brought many critically-acclaimed acts and performers to our shores through the years. Taking pride in its inclusiveness, the festival has given Singaporeans opportunities to engage and interact with the art form free, if not at a fraction of its original cost. Concession are also available for students, NSFs and the elderly too.

If I can be frank, dance is perhaps Singapore’s ‘least-loved’ in the performing arts category, the other two being theatre and music. So it’s quite a remarkable feat for the annual dance festival to not just survive, but flourish after a full decade.

Life in Progress (Co-Production)

Which ballet enthusiast doesn’t know Sylvie Guillem? No doubt one of the greatest dancers of all time, Guillem has had an unparalleled 35-year career as a ballerina and contemporary dancer.

Guillem’s illustrious career first began when she was promoted to Paris Opera Ballet’s youngest étoile (leading ballerina) at the age of 19. Since then, she has played it all; from Juliet, to Aurora, to Odette, and Giselle in ballets by legendary choreographers Kenneth MacMillan, Maurice Béjart, Frederick Ashton, William Forsythe and Mats Ek.

Life in Progress PHOTO: Bill Cooper

We are extremely privileged to have Guillem performing her swan song, Life In Progress in our shores. In the performance, Guillem will dance two new works including technê, a solo with live musicians on stage, choreographed by Sacred Monsters creator Akram Khan. The second will be a duet entitled Here & After with Italian dancer Emanuela Montanari and Russell Maliphant.

In the event that you fail to secure tickets to witness Guillem take her final bow in Life In Progress, make sure to get tickets to In Conversation with Sylvie Guillem. Guillem will be sharing her experiences on and off the dance stage. There is only one talk and the price is affordable.

Driven by his personal desire to study the choreographic processes of Asian contemporary dance, SoftMachine is the end product of Choy Ka Fai’s decade-long research project. The project took him across Asia, with him 88 Asian dance-makers in that process.

PHOTO: Bernie Ng

SoftMachine is split into two parts. Part A is performed by Surjit Nongmeikapam (India) and Rianto (Indonesia). Breaking out of his conservative Manipuri roots, Nongmeikapam creates a dance for the consumption of European audiences while questioning the point of exoticism. Rianto explores the personal and societal tension of gender in dance-making through the traditional dance of Lengger.

In part B, Yuya Tsukahara (Japan) subjects Choy to a brutal contact improvised duet and interview while Xiao Ke and Zi han (China) reflect on the societal and political context of their environment through symbolism in dance. The result is a part-performance, part-interview spectacle that chronicled in a documentary-styled arrangement.

Impulse (Festival Commission)

Some people take the ‘The world’s your stage’ quite literally. In Imuplse, T.H.E Dance Company resident and master choreographer Kim Jae Duk (South Korea) turns Esplanade’s backstage into the playground for dancers.

PHOTO: Bernie Ng

Known for his attention-grabbing and innovative works that are often thought-provoking and dynamic, Kim is a rising star in the dance world. In Impulse, no two performances are the same. The dancers engage and react with the natural condition of Esplanade’s backstage spaces, creating an experience that is unique to every performance.

Expect fast-paced choreography and one-of-a-kind dance performance as Impulse takes you on a ride through Esplanade’s hidden spaces.

Do note that there will not be any latecomer’s entry for this performance. Travel light and put on comfortable footwear as you will be standing throughout the entire performance.

Here’s Clocker, one of my favourite performance by Kim Jae Duk:

TOROBAKA (Co-Production)

Torobaka means duet in Latin. Collaborating together for the first time, Kathak dancer Akram Khan (UK) and Flamenco dancer Israel Galván (Spain) – both celebrated dancers in their own universe – will perform in this epic duet-of-a-performance which defies genre and culture.

TOROBAKA PHOTO: Jean-Louis Fernandez

Accentuated by the rhythms from Khan’s ankle bells and bare feet and Galván’s flamenco shoes, the dance masters are accompanied on stage by Spanish and Indian musicians who provide stunning live vocals and music.

Who could have taught that Indian classical dance can share the same stage as Spanish dance Flamenco? Guess we will have to wait and see. It’s gonna be one epic duet. Tickets are limited, be quick.

What’s Your Move? (Mass Dance)

Fancy dancing under the moonlight with hundred others by the Esplanade Waterfront? Join one of the What’s Your Move? mass dance sessions this October. What’s Your Move? is da:ns festival’s staple and most popular dance programme year after year.

PHOTO: Jeff Low

Always wanted to try out Waltz? Or are you a Hip Hop fan? Maybe a little Lindy Hop? How about some Bollywood? With three themed nights over two weekends, there’s a dance (or two) for you and your companion to enjoy. These easy-to-learn dance routines will be taught and conducted by professional dance instructors.

Friday I’m in Love

What better way to stoke the flames of love than with some tantalising Tango and groovy Jazz? Embrace the moment as you and your partner dip and float through an elegant Waltz.

Saturday Night Fever

Burn up the dance floor with some sizzling Salsa and Bachata moves on the first weekend. Turn it up a notch with some pumping music and high-energy dance styles like Hip Hop and K-Pop on the following weekend.

Sunday Funday

Cut loose and kick off your shoes! You don’t need to be in your Sunday best to enjoy our groovy party. With fun dances like Jive, Flamenco, Lindy Hop and Bollywood, these sessions are perfect for people of all ages.

da:ns festival 2015

Opens 9 to 18 October 2015

Celebrating the spirit of movement since 2006, da:ns festival2015 presents a world of dance that inspires and makes you fall in love with dance all over again. da:ns festival invites you to release and to discover, through movement, your true self.